Simmba
Simmba is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty, starring Ranveer Singh as Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao, an amoral and corrupt police sub-inspector from Shivgadh whose worldview shifts toward righteousness following a traumatic incident.[1][2] The narrative centers on Simmba's initial exploitation of his position for personal gain, which culminates in a confrontation with local gangsters after the assault on a woman close to his fiancée, prompting his redemption and pursuit of justice.[3] Produced by Reliance Entertainment, Dharma Productions, and Rohit Shetty Picturez, the film features supporting performances by Sara Ali Khan as Simmba's love interest, Sonu Sood as the antagonist, and a special appearance by Ajay Devgn reprising his role as Bajirao Singham, integrating it into Shetty's interconnected cop universe.[4][5] Released theatrically on 28 December 2018, Simmba achieved substantial commercial success, grossing approximately ₹295 crore in India and over ₹390 crore worldwide, marking it as a blockbuster and Ranveer Singh's highest-opening film at the time.[2][6] While receiving mixed critical reception for its formulaic storytelling and emphasis on spectacle over depth—with a 27% approval rating from critics—the film was praised for Singh's energetic portrayal and its mass-appeal entertainment value, resonating strongly with audiences through high-octane action sequences and comedic elements.[7][1]Development and production
Origins and adaptation
Simmba originated as a Hindi adaptation of the 2015 Telugu-language action film Temper, directed by Puri Jagannadh and starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as the corrupt police officer Daya, who undergoes redemption after personal tragedy involving his girlfriend's abduction by a local criminal syndicate.[8] The original Temper emphasized themes of vigilantism and moral transformation within a high-energy action framework, grossing approximately ₹40 crore at the box office and establishing itself as a commercial success in Telugu cinema.[8] Rohit Shetty's production team acquired the remake rights for Temper in 2017, with Shetty confirming the purchase in September of that year while noting the film would incorporate select scenes from the Telugu original rather than serving as a direct remake.[9] This acquisition aligned with Shetty's expansion of his cop-centric cinematic universe, initially popularized through films like Singham, aiming to blend Temper's core narrative of a flawed officer's shift to justice-driven vigilantism with his hallmark over-the-top action sequences and comedic elements.[9] The project was publicly announced in December 2017, with the title Simmba revealed and a release date set for December 28, 2018; Shetty's adaptation retained the protagonist's arc of corruption-to-redemption without fundamentally altering the vigilantism motif, though script adjustments incorporated Bollywood tropes such as heightened family dynamics and ensemble humor to suit Hindi audience preferences.[10] These modifications preserved the source material's fidelity to causal triggers for character change—personal loss catalyzing ethical overhaul—while infusing Shetty's stylistic flair, as evidenced by early promotional materials emphasizing explosive set pieces.[11]Pre-production and casting
Simmba was jointly produced by Reliance Entertainment, Dharma Productions, and Rohit Shetty Picturez, with Rohit Shetty serving as director.[12] Pre-production focused on adapting the 2015 Telugu film Temper while integrating Shetty's established style of exaggerated action sequences and comedic elements, though Shetty emphasized that the project incorporated original additions rather than a direct remake.[13] Principal photography was scheduled to commence in mid-2018, with the team announcing the start of shooting on June 6, 2018, initially at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.[14] [15] Casting for the lead role of Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao went to Ranveer Singh, selected for his high-energy performance style that aligned with the character's transformation from a corrupt officer to a principled one.[16] Shetty noted Singh's "bundle of energy and very different approach towards performing a character" as key factors in the decision.[16] Sara Ali Khan was chosen for the female lead role of Shagun Sathe, marking her Bollywood debut following her appearance in the 2018 film Kedarnath.[1] Supporting roles included Sonu Sood as the antagonist Durva Ranade and Ashutosh Rana as a senior police officer, rounding out the ensemble to fit Shetty's action-comedy framework.[17] During pre-production, the team addressed logistical aspects such as scripting adjustments to blend the source material's core premise with Shetty's high-stakes action set pieces, including preliminary planning for vehicular stunts and chases central to the director's oeuvre.[18] These preparations ensured the film's alignment with Shetty's cop universe while navigating remake constraints, prioritizing mass-appeal elements over fidelity to the original Telugu narrative.[11]Filming and post-production
Principal photography for Simmba commenced on June 6, 2018, at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, marking the start of a two-month initial schedule.[19][20] The production subsequently shifted to additional locations in Goa, Mumbai, and further sequences in Hyderabad, capturing the film's action-oriented narrative.[21] To adhere to the release timeline and Ranveer Singh's personal commitments, including his wedding on November 14, 2018, the lead actor undertook extended shoots of up to 20 hours per day toward the end of principal photography.[22] Filming wrapped in the first week of November 2018, with final touches like the title track completed shortly thereafter.[23] The action sequences, emblematic of director Rohit Shetty's style, incorporated high-octane car chases, crashes, and confrontations emphasizing practical effects over heavy reliance on digital augmentation.[24][25] Stunt coordination focused on realism, with behind-the-scenes material showcasing Ranveer Singh performing demanding physical feats, including escapes and beat-downs integrated into the plot's police procedural elements.[26] Post-production ensued promptly after wrap, with visual effects supervised by NY VFXWAALA to augment explosions, crowd simulations, and enhanced destruction in action set pieces while preserving the grounded stunt aesthetic.[27] Editing and final assembly aligned with the December 28, 2018, theatrical release, ensuring the film's high-energy pacing and comedic beats were refined without delays.[28]Music and soundtrack
Composition and recording
The soundtrack for Simmba was composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Lijo George and DJ Chetas, and S. Thaman, with the aim of delivering high-energy tracks suited to the film's action-comedy genre, including remakes and original numbers designed for dance sequences and thematic underscoring.[29][30] Tanishk Bagchi handled three key songs—"Aankh Marey" (a recreation of the 1996 track from Tere Mere Sapne), "Tere Bin" (reworking a qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan), and "Aala Re Aala"—emphasizing recreation over mere remixing to infuse modern beats while preserving nostalgic elements for broader appeal.[30][31] Lijo George and DJ Chetas composed "Mera Wala Dance," focusing on upbeat, club-oriented rhythms to match the film's promotional dance hooks, while S. Thaman provided the instrumental "Simmba Themes" to synchronize with high-octane action scenes.[29][32] Recording took place primarily in Mumbai studios during 2018, aligning with the film's production timeline to allow integration of audio cues during post-production editing for seamless synchronization between beats and on-screen action.[31] Vocals for tracks like "Mera Wala Dance" were captured at facilities such as Soundideaz and Re n Raga Studios, with supervision by Azeem Dayani to oversee layering of choruses and additional performers.[31] Bagchi's process involved programming and arranging in his Mumbai setup, prioritizing energetic production to enhance the film's marketability through pre-release singles that built hype via rhythmic synergy with comedic and chase sequences.[30][29] This approach ensured the score's beats amplified the narrative's fast-paced tone without overshadowing dialogue or stunts.[33]Track listing and release
The soundtrack of Simmba consists of seven tracks, released digitally by T-Series on 27 December 2018, one day prior to the film's theatrical debut.[29][32] This timing facilitated promotional momentum, with individual singles like "Aankh Maarey" (5 December 2018) and "Tere Bin" (13 December 2018) driving early streaming engagement.[33][34] Hits such as "Aankh Maarey" surpassed 100 million YouTube views within weeks of launch, reflecting rapid commercial uptake amid the item's dance appeal, while romantic tracks like "Tere Bin" and "Bandeya Rey Bandeya" bolstered narrative hype.[35][36] The "Simmba" themes provide instrumental motifs accentuating the cop character's assertive persona.| No. | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aankh Maarey" | Neha Kakkar, Mika Singh, Kumar Sanu |
| 2 | "Tere Bin" | Asees Kaur, Tanishk Bagchi |
| 3 | "Aala Re Aala" | Dev Negi |
| 4 | "Mera Wala Dance" | Neha Kakkar, Nakash Aziz |
| 5 | "Bandeya Rey Bandeya" | Arijit Singh, Asees Kaur |
| 6 | "Simmba Theme 1" | Thaman S. |
| 7 | "Simmba Theme 2" | Thaman S. |